Pottsville lies along the Schuylkill River and is the seat of Schuylkill County. The city is located in 30 miles (50km) northwest of Reading, situated in the Appalachian Mountains of east-central Pennsylvania.

Pottsville's anthracite coal history began in 1790 with the discovery of coal made by the hunter Necho Allen. The city became one of the leading industrial centers for the mining of anthracite coal during the 19th century. Today Pottsville showcases its industrial past and is home to the oldest brewery in the United States, Yuengling Brewery, which has continuously operated since 1829.